Electrical distributer.



C. 1. WALLACE.V

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTER.

APPLICATION msn JULY 31. 1915.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

der. .5.

C. J. WALLACE.

ELECTRICAL DISTHIBUTER.

APPLICATION F1LEn1uLv31.|9|5.

Patented Oct. 30,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- T0 L//wousllvs Lmw rs To Nr.4 uuml Henn EGG 8,

HEAD LISNTS 3 A DASH LIGHT L/Mauslm: wur

DISTRIBUTOR, TIMER l COIL MAGNET() SPARK PLUGS .qu-rall" Barn-RY LIGHT Swlrw Maarn-ric smurf STARWN: Moron @Rune-190 of said circuits may be electrically independ- CARL J'. WALLACE, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTER,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 30, 191 '7.

Application 1e`d .Tuly 31, 1915. Serial No. 42,989.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CARL J. WALLACE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Distributers. of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to electrical distributers and more particularly to a device for distributing the electrical currents to the various lights and electrically operated devices on an automobile and for controlling such distribution.

This application constitutes a continuation in part of an application Afiled by me October 4th, 1913, Ser. N o. .7 93,367, on which Letters Patent No. 1,177,976, were granted April 4th, 1916.

The object of the invention is to provide a very simple compact device embodying within itself the complete control of all circuits on an automobile, and to so construct the mechanism and to so arrange the various controlling devices that they may be arranged close together and yet can be quickly located by the operator by the sense of touch alone, thus enabling a selected controlling device to be manipulated by the operator without making it necessary for him to take his eyes from the road. -To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide a casing adapted to be secured to the steering post of an automobile and having mount ed therein the necessary connecting and controlling devices, and to have the actuating members for the various controlling devices arranged about the exterior of the casing in certain described relation. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a main switch for controlling the battery lead and a series of separate circuit breakers and closers for controlling the individual circuits. It is alsoA an object of the invention to provide a controlling device for the ignition circuits of such a character that a part ent of the main switch, but will be/mechanically controlled by the actuating device for that switch. Other objects of the invention will] appear as the mechanism is described.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the casing with the top plate removed; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line w of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line rection of the arrows, and omitting the.

clamps; Fig..7 is a detail view of the actu ating device for the main switch and its associated parts; and Fig. 8 is a diagram of the circuits.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as comprising a casing 1 within which are mounted the various electrical connections and controlling devices, the actuating members for the controlling devices being arranged eXteriorly of the casing. Preferably, the casing is formed of insulating material, such as bakelitef but, obviously, any suitable material may be used so long as provision is made for insulating the various parts of the mechanism. The casing, as here shown, is closed at its upper end by a top plate 2 and at its lower end by a bottom plate 3, the latter having a central opening through which are led the various conductors which serve to connect the lam-ps and electrically operated devices with the sources of electrical energy. A transverse partition 5 divides the interior of the casing into two compartments. Rigidly secured to and supported by this partition, within the lower compartment, is a hollow drum 6 which constitutes a core about which resistance wire is wound, as will be hereinafter explained, both the partition and the end wall of the drum being provided with openings 6a to permit a freecirculation of air through and about the drum to cool the salme. Mounted within this hollow drum or core is a main switch whichl comprises a iXed contact member 7 supported `on and spaced away from the bottom wall of the drum by means of uprights 8, connecting the contact member proper with a base plate 9 which is secured to the bottom of the drum. While I have shown the fixed member of this switch as formed from a single piece of sheet metal, it will be obvious that the parts could be constructed and'mounted in various ways to secure the desired result.

connecting the distributer with any source of electrical energy. The main switch further comprises a movable contact member 11 coperating with the fixed contact member 7 and movable into and out of engagement therewith. As here shown, the movable contact member comprises a two-part resilient arm, the two parts of which are so arranged that whenmoved into engagement with the end of the fixed contact member 7 they will be spread apart and will engage the upper and lower sides respectively of the fixed contact member. This two-part arm, 11, may be movably mounted in any suitable manner. In the preferred form of the invention, it is mounted on a stud or shaft 12 rotatably mounted in the bottom wall of the drum 6 and connected with a suitable actuating device arran ed exteriorly of the casing. In 'the' shown, the upper end of the stud12 is connected with a' block of insulating material 13 rotatably mounted in the partition 5 and having secured thereto, molded therein, a rod or stud 14 having at its upper end laterally extending wings 15 adapted to enter a slot 16 in one end of a boss 17 secured to and forming a lpart of an operating handle 18. This boss is adapted to be inserted in va bearing 19 in the top wall 2"of the casing, and is provided with a central opening or socket 2O to receive the upper end of the stud 14.

While the handle 18 may be of any suitable character and may be secured to the stud which carries the movable member of the main switch in any suitable manner, that shown here is very convenient and has certain advantages, the principal of which is the ease with which it may be operated, attached to and removed from the stud 14. The handle is normally retained in operative engagement with the stud 14 by means of a spring-pressed pin 21 which extends into a circumferential groove 22 formed in the boss 17 of the handle. A screwethreaded plug 23, which is screwed into an openin in an enlargement of the top plate, forms t e stop for the outer end of the spring, and by adjusting this pin the tension of the spring may be regulated. As shown in Fig. 7 that part of the handle immediately above the boss 17 is flared outward on opposite sides orm here and preferably of the body of the'handle, thus enabling the same to be readily gripped bythe hand, even when the latter is covered bya glove, and removed from its bearing.

Mounted within the drum 6 is the controlling device for the head lights, this controlling device including both the circuit breaker and closer and the dimmer. In the form' here shown it comprises a movable contact member, such as the resilient arm 24, which is mounted on the stud 12, ca ing the movable member of the main switc so that it is both mechanically and electrically connected with said movable member of the main switch. This movable member, 24, of the controlling device is adapted to move over a series of contact members, 25, 26 and 27, and to se arately connect these contact members wit the battery lead. The contact member, 25, is connected with the main lle 28 of the head light circuit and is connected with the contact members 26 and 27 by means of resistance wire 29 which is wound about the drum 6 and which forms a part of the head light circuit and which serves when cut into the circuit to dim the head lights. The arrangement of the movable contact member 24 and the contact points 25, 26 and 27, with relation to the mam switch is such that the movement of the movable member 24 into engagement with any one of these contact points can be accompllshed only when the main switch 1s closed. It is possible, however, to close the main switch without moving the contact member 24 into engagement w1th an one of the three contact oints mentione and 1t will be noted that t e contact points have rounded the ends and are adapted to enter a slight depression or seat 30 in the arm 24. and thus act as detents to retain both the arm 24 and the main switch in adjusted pos1t1ons. In order to retain the main switch 1n its closed position when the arm 24 is out of engagement with all the contacts 25,

26 and 27, I have provided a stop 31 of a shape similar to the contact points to engage tlie arm 24 and retain the same in such a posltion as to hold the movable member of the main switch in engagement with the fixed member thereof. When the arm 24 has been moved past the stop 31, it will, due to lts resilience, move downward into engagement with the surface on which the stop and contact points are mounted, which surface 1s, of course, of insulating material, and will engage the edge of the stop 31, and the position of the stop is such that the movable member of the main switch will thus be held out of engagement with the fixed member of that switch, thereby retaining the main circuit open.

Mounted upon the partition 5 in the upper part of the casing are controlling devices for the various individual circuits through the partition 5 and is connected` at its upper ends with a contact plate 35, a portion of which plate extends upward into the path of a plunger 36 mounted in the side wall of the casing and provided on its outer end with a head or push button 37.

This plunger is held normally in its outer-l most position, and out of engagement with the contact member 35, by means of a spring 38, and is connected by means of a conductor 39 with the horn circuit, the other side of the horn circuit being led back to the battery by grounding in the frame ofthe machine. The bolt 33, which is connected with the main switch, is electrically connected by means of a bar 40 with a second bolt or tie rod 41, this bar being located beneath the drum 6. The bolt 41 also extends upward through the partition 5 and is connected at its upper end with a contact member 42 which 'bears against a `slidable contact bar 43 which extends through the side wall and is provided on its outer end with a head or push button 44; The contact bar 43 is arranged for movement into and out of engagement with one arm of a contact spring 45 which is connected with a conductor 46 leading to the ignition devices. Mounted in the opposite -side ofthe casing is a second slidable contact bar 47, similar to the bar 43, and provided with a head or push button 48. This second bar, 47, is adapted to engage a fixed contact member 49, which is connected with the magneto, and is also movable into and out of engagement with the second arm of the resilient contact member 45. The two Contact bars 43 and 47 are connected one to the other by means of a bar of insulating material, 50, the length of this bar of insulating material being slightly greater than the combined length of the two arms of the resilient contact member 45, so that whenv the insulating bar 50 is in an intermediate position it will engage both arms of this resilient contact member 45 and both of the contact bars 43 and 47 will be out o-f engagement with said resilient contact member. Consequently, when the-bar as a whole is pushed to the limit of its movement in either direction, the one contact bar will be moved into operative engagement with the corresponding arm of the contact member 45 and the other Contact bar will be moved out of engagement with its larm of the contact member 45. To hold the bar in adjusted positions it is provided with a recess 51 in 'which is seated a ball 52, and a yieldable plate 53 is arranged above the bar .and provided with three recesses o r seats .for the ball 52. When movement is imparted to the bar, the ball, which is more dee ly seated in the bar than in the plate, will lie forced out of its seat in the plate and caused to travel into the next seat, and the several seats are so arranged that each of them will hold the bar in one of its be as readily connected with separate dry cells if this should be desirable. In either case it is preferable that the ignition as a whole should be controlled by the controlling device for the main switch so that when the switch is in its open position the ignition circuit will be broken. Where the battery is used for ignition purposes, this circuit will, of course, be broken by the main switch, but the magneto circuit would not be broken by the main switch. I have, therefore, so arranged the resilient contact member 45 that it tends to move away from the contact bars, and have provided means controlled by the actuating handle 18 for the main switch to move this contact member, 45, into engagement with the bar. As here shown, the resilient contact member is supported by a yieldable arm 54 which, when' unrestrained, will support the arms of the con- 'taet member out of engagement with the bar. Mounted on the stud 14, with which the actuating handle 18 is connected, is a cam disk 55 of such shape that when the actuating handle is in a position to open the main-switch a portion of short radius will be adjacent to the contact member 45, thus- Extending from the bolt or conductor rod f 41 is a second connecting bar 56 which leads to a third bolt or rod 57 which also extends upward to the partition 5 and is connected above the partition with a contact plate 58,

having two upwardly extending fingers 59 and 60. Opposed to the fingers 59 and 60 and spaced away therefrom are two resilient contact fin ers 6l and 62. The finger 61 is connected y means of a conductor 63 to side lights, or other lights in the car, as may be desired. The finger 62 is connected by a conductor. 64 with the tail and dash lights which are wired in series so that the 10 dash light acts as a tell-tale to indicate when the tail light is burning. The arrangement shown enables the two circuits to be closed independently, and to this end I have provided a separate,contact member for each pair of fingers. Each of these contact members comprises a short shaft.l or stud 65 mounted in a suitable bearing in the wall of the casing and provided at its inner end with a T head 66, so arranged that when in one position it will lie between but out of contact with the fingers of one pair and when in its other position will en age both of those fingers, thus closing the circuit. Each stud is provided on its outer end with a milled head 67 by means of which it may be manipulated, and a spring '68 serves to hold the stud in its outermost position, it being noted that each stud is capable of a slight longitudinal movement. To hold the contact members 66 in their inoperative positions and to permit them to be moved into their operative positions by the rotation of the studs, I have formed U-shaped grooves or recesses 69 in the ends of the respective bearingsand have arranged these grooves to receive the edges of the heads or transverse portions of the contact members when the latter are in their inoperative positions. The springs 68 hold these heads in the grooves, and, consequently, there yis no liability of the contacts being inadvertently moved into their closed positions. Because of the inclined sides of the groove the rotation of the studs will cause the transverse portion 'l of vthe heads thereof to move inward against the tension of the spring, thus releasing the same from the retaining grooves. Preferably, smaller grooves or recesses 69 are provided to hold the contact members against accidental displacement from their closed positions.

A circuit breaker and closer is also provided for the starter circuit, and, in the present instance; this is in the form of a push button 70 mounted on the bottom wall 3 of the casing and having a plunger 7l extending upward between two resilient contact members 72 connected respectively with a starter circuit, 7 3, and with the bolt or contact rod 33, thus connecting the starter circuit with the movable member of the main switch and placing it under the control of that (switch.I

The casing may be mounted in any 'suitable position, but I prefer -to mount the same on that side of the steering post oppo site the operator with the Jush button for the horn circuit on that si e of the casing remote from the steering post, and to this end, I have shown' the casing as provided 70 with a bracket 74 by means of which it is secured to the steering post, which latter is not shown. -This arrangement of the casing places the push button for the horn circuit, which is most frequently used, in a position 75 where it can be very readily opera by either hand of the o erator and in such a position that it can quickly found and actuated by touch alone. Likewise, the push buttons 44 and 48 for the ignition circuit are 30 arranged on the sides of the casing and in such positions that they can be ve readily lselected without the necessity of t e driver withdrawin his gaze from the road. The actuating evices 67 for the two light switches are hrran ed close to the steerlng post on opposite sldes thereof where they can be easily found, and the starter button is on the bottom of the casing and on the left hand side of the steering post, thus leaving the operators right hand free for` the manipulation of the other controlling devices for the power while he holds the starter button closed. The actuating handle for the main switch and head light controlling devices is arranged on top of the casing directly in front of the operator, and, of course, is very easy of manipulation, and because of the arrangement of the stops and contact members can be moved into the delsired position without the necessity of consulting a gage or the like. It will be apparent that the whole organization and arrangement of thel controlling devices and their actuating members is such that when the operator has once become familiar with the device so that he knows which controlling devices control the respective circuits, he can very readily locate those buttons in the dark or without taking his eyes from the. road, and it will be obvious that such an arrangement is vastly superior to an arrangement which merely provides a row of buttons or controlling devices which must bc counted either with. the fingers or the eye in orde-r to select the proper button. Further, it will be apparent that the device as a whole is very simple and exceedingly e compact in its arrangement, that it places the controlling devices for all the electrical circuits on the machine in a single case and in a position sothat they can be very uickl and easily operated, and, further, t at al these circuits areprimarily controlled by a single actuating device, either through the main switch or through a supplemental device actuated by the actuating device for the main switch. l

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to 130 be understood that I do not.` desire to be cure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a system of distribution, an electrical device, a plurality of sources of electrical energy adapted to be connected one at a time to said device, a single means for disconnecting one of said sources from and connecting the other to said device, and a switch interposed between said device andboth of said sources and movable to render both sources incapable of being connected to said device.

2. The combination, with a main electrical device, a supplemental electrical device, and a circuit for each of said devices', of a controlling device comprising a core having a resistance material wound thereon, and connected with the circuit of said main device, contact members carried by said. core and connected with said resistance windings, a movable contact member connected with a source of electrical energy, means for moving said movable contact member into engagement with any one of the first-mentioned contact members, a fixed contact arm connected with the circuit for said supplemental device, a part connected with said movable contact member and adapted `to engage said fixed arm before said movable contact member engages any one of the first. mentioned contact members, said part being adapted to remain in engagement with said xed contact arm while the movable contact member moves from one contact point to another.

3. In a distributing system, a main switch, a plurality of circuits controlled by said main switch, and a pair of switches interposed in one of said circuits,one of the latter switches being independently controlled by hand and the other being mechanically operated by the movement ofthe main switch.

4. In a distributing device, a circuit provided with a switch having fixed and rotatable contact members, a second circuit having a switch provided with contact members,.one of which is movable and resiliently mountedrand a cam on said rotatable contact member 'to actuate the resiliently mounted contact member.

5. In a distributer, a switch having a fixed contact member connected with a source of supply for electrical current and also having a movable contact member, a group of circuits connected with said movable contact member, individual controlling devices for said circuits, a second group of circuits, an individual controlling device for each of said last-mentioned circuits, and means to further control said last-mentioned group of circuits.

6. Ina distributer, a casing, av vswitch A mounted in the upper portion of said casingv and having a fixed contact member connected with a source of electrical energy and also having a movable contact member, an actuating device for sald movable contact member mounted on one end of said casing,

a group of circuits controlled by said switch, an individual controlling device for each circuit of said group, a second group of circuits each provided with an individual controlling device, and an additional device to further control the circuits of said lastmentioned group.

7 In a distributer, a switch having a fixed y contact member connected with a source of supply for electric current and a movable contact member, a group of circuits controlled by said switch, individual controlling devices for said circuits, a second group of circuits, a controllingdevice for the circuits of said second group, andfurther means for control-ling the circuits of said second group.

8. In a distributer, a switch provided with fixed and movable contact members adapted to be connected with a source of supply for electric current, a group of circuits connected with said movable contact member, individual controlling devices for said circuits, a second group of circuits provided with individual controlling devices, and a device common to the circuits of said lastmentioned group for further controlling the same.

9. In a distributer for automobile circuits, a switch having a fixed contact member connected with a source of supply for electric current and a movable contactmember, a group of circuits connected with said movable contact member, individual .controlling devices for said circuits, a second group of circuits, an individual controlling device for each of the circuits of said lastmentioned group, further means Jfor controlling said last-mentioned circuits, and a device for actuating` the same.

.10. A distributer for automobile circuits comprising a casing, a switch mounted in the upper portion of said casing and having a fixed contact member connected withl a source of supply for electric current andl also having a movable contact member mounted on one end of said casing, a group of circuits connected with said switch, individual controlling devices for said circuits, a second group of circuits each provided with individual controlling devices mounted on the wall of said casing, and a device for controlling the circuits of said last-mentioned group independently of their controlling devices.

l1. A distributing device for automobile rated compartments, a switch mounted 1n one of said com artments and provided with fixed and mova le contact members adapted to engage and disengage each other, a circuit includin a resistance winding and having a plurallty of contact members in the path of said movable contact member, an actuating-device mounted on one end of said casin and operatively connected to the movab e member of said switch, a series of additional circuits controlled by said switch,

each of said circuits being rovided with separate circuit breakers an closers operable independently of the switch and mounted in said other compartment.

12. A distributing device for automobile circuits comprising a casing having separated compartments, a switch mounted in -one of said compartments and having fixed and movable contact members connected with a source of electrical current, a circuit includin ,a resistance winding having a plurality 0% contact members arranged to be successively engaged by the .movable member ol said switch to close the circuit therethrough and vary the current, a plurality of further circuits also controlled by said switch, and circuit. breakers and closers therefor mounted in the other compartment of said casing and independently controlled.

13. A distributing device for automobile circuits comprising a casing having separated compartments, a switch comprising fixed and movable contact members mounted in one of said compartments, a rotatable stud on which said movable contact memberl is mounted, an actuating device for said movable contact member comprising a handle mounted on the end of said casing, a connecting device extending between said handle and said stud and insulated from said stud, a resistance winding having a plurality of contact members, a controlling arm` mounted on said stud and electrically connected with the movable contact member of said switch and adapted to be moved into engagement with a selected one of the contact members of said circuit by the rotation of said stud, a plurality of circuits primarily controlled by said switch, anda plurality of circuit breakers and closers for said lastmentioned circuits mounted in the other compartment of said casing and arranged about the w ll thereof.

14. A tributing` device for automobile circuits omprising a casing having separated ompartments, a switch mounted in one o said compartments and having fixed and movable contact members, a circuit including a resistance winding and having a plurality of contact members, a controllin member electrically connected with sai movable member offsaid switch and movable into contact with any one of the contact members of said circuit, an actuating device mounted on one end of said casing and operatively connected with said switch and with said controlling member, a plurality of circuits primarily controlled to close the same when the fixed and movable contact members engage each other, circuit breakers and closers controlling said circuits operable independently of the switch and mounted in the other compartment, and operating devices for said circuit breakers and closers arranged exteriorly of said casing and s aced about the wall thereof, an additional circuit \-primarily controlled by said switch, and a circuit breaker and closer mounted on that end 4of said casin opposite said actuatin device for contro ling said last-mentioned circuit.

15. A distributing device for automobile circuits lcomprisin a casin having in one end an opening t rough w ich conductors may be led, a transverse partition dividing said casing into two compartments, a drum carried by said partition and arranged withi-n that compartment adjacent said opening, means carried by said drum for connectin said conductors thereto, a switch arranged within said drum and comprising a fixed contact member connected with a conductor leading to a source of electrical current, a movable contact member, an actuating device for said movable contact member mounted on that end of said casing opposite the end having said opening, said actuating device comprising connecting means extending through the compartment adjacent said actuating device journaled in said partition and connected with and insulated from said movable member of said switch, a circuit comprising resistance wire wound about said drum and having a plurality of contact points mounted Within said drum, a contact finger operatively connected to said actuating device and electrically connected with said movable member of said switch and arranged to be moved into engagement with any one of the contact points of said circuit when the first-mentioned fixed and movable contact members are in engagement with each other, a plurality of additional circuits controlled by said switch, each of said circuits being provided with a circuit .breaker and closer in that compartment of said casing adjacent to said actuating device and operable to close their circuits when the contact members of said switch are in engagement.

16. In a distributin device for automobile circuits, a sectiona casin provided with compartments and held toget er by suitable connectors, a switch comprising fixed and movable contact members mounted in one of said compartments, operating means for said switch extending through the other of said compartments to the outside of the casing, a circuit comprising a resistance coil `and fixed contact points adapted to be successively engaged by the movable .member of said switch, a plurality of circuits comprising said connectors and primarily controlled by said switch, and clrcuit breakers and closers for said last-mentioned circuits mounted in that compartment through which the actuating means for said switch extends.

l 17. A distributing deyice for automobile circults comprising a casing, a switch mounted in said casing comprising a fixed member and a movable member, one of said members being connected with a source of electrical current, a plurality of circuit breakers and closers electrically connected with the other vmember of said switch, whereby the circuits of said circuit breakers and closers are all controlled by said switch, and another circuit breaker and closer independent of said switch but controlled by the movement of the movable member of said switch.

18. A distributing device 'for automobile circuits comprising a casing, a switch mounted in said casing and having a fixed contact member connected with a source of electrical current, and a movable contact member, a plurality of circuits each electrically connected with the movable member of said switch, an individual circuit breaker and closer for each of said circuits, another cir- -cuit separate from Said switch, a circuit breaker and closer for said last-mentioned circuit, an actuating device for the movable member of said switch, and means operated by said actuating device for controlling the operation ofthe circuit breaker and closer for said last-mentioned circuit. y 19. A distributing device for automobile circuits comprising a casing, a group of circuits leading into said casing, separate controlling devices for said circuits, a switch mounted'in said casing to additionally control all of said circuits,anothercircuit also leading into said casing, a circuit breaker and closer for said last-mentioned circuit, and an additional circuit breaker and closer for said last-mentioned circuit controlled by the position of said switch. l

20. In a distributing device for automobile circuits,a plurality of circuits, separate i controlling devices for said'circuits, a switch to control allof said circuits, a plurality of other "circuits, circuit breakers and closers for said last-mentioned circuits interconnectedto cause one of said last-mentioned circuits'tobe open when the other of said last-mentioned circuits is closed, and means controlled by the movement of said switch to interrupt both of said last-mentioned circuits regardless of they positionsof the circuit breakers and closers therefor.

21. In a distributing device for autoincbile circuits, a switch having a fixed member and a'movable member, means for actuatin said movable member, a circuit, a contro ling device for said circuit electrically connected with the movable member of said switch and operatively connected with the actuating device for said switchother circuits, separate circuitbreakers and closers `for said last-mentioned circuits, and a movable device interposed in said last-mentioned circuits andheld normally in position to interrupt the circuits, and means controlled by \the action of the actuating device for the swltch to move said interrupting device into a position to close the circuits.

22. In a distributing device for automobile circuits, a switch having a fixed member and a movable member, means for actu# ating said movable member, a circuit, a controlling 4device for said circuit connected with the movable member of said switch and operatively connected with the actuating. device for said switch, fixed contact members connected with separate sources of electrical current, movable contact members engageable with the respective fixed contact members, a movable contact member connected with another circuit and having parts arranged for engagement with the first-mentioned movable contact member and held normally in inoperative relation thereto, and means actuated by said actuating device or'said switch to move said last-men tioned movable contact member into position to be engaged by either of the firstmentioned movable contact members.

23. In a distributing device for automobile circuits, -a switch having a fixed member and a movable member, means for actuating said movable member, a circuit, a controlling device for said circuit connected 105 with the movable member of said switch and operatively colineotedwith the actuating device for said switch, slidable contact members connected for simultaneous movement but insulated one from the other, means for connecting the respective contact members with separate sources of electrical current,

a contact member having arms adapted to be engaged by the respective slidable contact members but held normally in an inoperative relation thereto, and a device actuated by the actuating member for said switch to move said last-mentioned contact member into a position to be engaged by said slidable contact members.

24. In a distributing device for automobile circuits, a switch having a fixed member and a movable member, means for actuating said movable member, a circuit, a controlling device for said circuit connected with the movable member of said switch and operatively connected with the actuating de"` vice for said switch, slidable contact members mounted in said casing and connectible with diierent sources of electricalcurrent,

than the length of said insulated bar andA being held normally out of engagement with said bar and said slidable contact members,

'and a device actuated by the actuating device for said main switch to move said movable contact member toward said bar.

25. A distributing device for automobile circuits comprising a casing divided into two compartments, a switch mounted in one compartment of said casing and comprising a ixed contact member and a movable member, means for actuating said movable member comprising a rotatable part extending through the other part of said casing, a circuit including a resistance winding and having a plurality of contacts arranged Within said first-mentioned compartment, a controlling member for said circuit connected with the movable member of said switchand operatively connected with the actuating device therefor, slidable contact members mounted in the other compartment of said casing and connectible with separate sources of electrical current, an insulated bar connecting said slidable contact members one with the other, a resilient contact device held normally in inoperative relation to said slidable contact members and having arms adapted to be moved into position to be engaged by the respective slidable contact members, and a device connected with the rotatable part of the actuating device for said switch to move said resilient contact member into a position in which its parts may be engagedby the respective slidable contact members.

26. A distributing device for automobile circuits comprising a casing divided into two compartments, a switch'mounted in one compartmentl of said casing and comprising a fixed contact member and a movable member, means for actuating said movable member comprising a rotatable part extendingthrough the other parts of said casing, a circuit including a resistance winding 'and having a plurality of contacts arranged within said first-mentioned compartment, a controlling member for saidl circuit electrically connected with the movable member of said switch and operatively connected with the actuating device therefor, slidable contact members mounted in the other compartment of said casi and connectible with separate sources o electrical current, an .insulated bar connecting said slidable contact members one with the other, a rei silient contact device held normally in inoperative relation to said slidable contact members and having parts adaptedv to be moved into position to'be engaged by the respective slidable contact members, and a device connected with the rotatable part of the actauting device for said switch to move spective slidable contact members, and aA plurality of circuits comprising inde endently operable circuit breakers and c osers arranged within said last-mentioned compartment and all controlled by said switch.

27. ,In a distributing device for automobile circuits, a switch having a iixed member and a movable member, means for actuating said movable member, a circuit, a controlling device for said circuit electrically connected with said switch and operatively connected with the actuating device for said switch, slidable contact members connectible with different sources of electrical .cur-

rent, an insulated bar connecting said slid-` able contact members, a resilient contact member having two arms to coperate, respectively, with said slidable contact members, said arms being of a combined len h less than the length ofsaid insulated ar and being held normally out of engagement with said bar and said slidable contact members, and afdevice actuated by the actuating device for said switch to move said movable contact member toward said bar, said insulated bar having a recess, a ball seated in said recess, a yieldable device arranged above said bar, spaced away therefrom a distance less than the diameter of said ball and having a series of seats arranged ina line parallel with said bar and adapted to receive the upper portion of said ball and to retain said slidable bar in adjusted positions.

28. In a distributing system, a plurality of circuits, a main switch controlling all of the circuits, a single device for controlling a pair of said circuits and arranged so that one circuit of the pair will be open when the vother is closed b said device, and an additional circuit brea er and closer in a third of said circuits.

, 29. In a system of distribution, a plurality of circuits, circuit breakers and closers for said circuits provided with common actuating means for simultaneously opening or simultaneously closing said circuits, and an additional circuit breaker and closer in each circuit operable independentl first-mentioned circuit breakers an closers.

30. In a controlling device for enginecircuits, a starter circuit, an individual circuit breaker and closer therefor, a plurality of ignition circuits leading to separate sources of electrical energy, a circuit breaker and closer for said ignition circuits, a second circuit breaker and closer in said starter circuit, an actuating device for said second circuit breaker and closer, a second circuit breaker and closer in said ignition circuits,

of the and means actuated by the second circuit breaker and closer for the starter circuit for controlling the second circuit breaker and closer in said ignition circuits.

31. In a controlling device for engine circuits, a starter circuit, an individual circuit breaker and closer therefor, a plurality of ignition circuits leading to separate sources of electrical energy, separate iXed Contact members for said ignition circuits, a single movable contact member coperating with both of said fixed contact members for said ignition circuits, a second circuit breaker and closer interposed `between said movable member and the ignition devices and comprising a part carried by said movable member and a part movable into and out of engagement With said part carried by said movable member, a second circuit breaker and closer in said starter circuit comprising a pivoted member and a part actuated by said pivoted member for actuating the lastmentioned p-art of the second circuit breaker and closer for the ignition circuits.

32. In a system of distribution, a plurality of circuits, circuit breakers and closers for said circuit provided with removable means for actuating the same to simultaneously close the circuits, and an additional circuit breaker and closer in each circuit operable independently of the first-mentioned circuit breakers and closers.

33. In a system of distribution, a plurality of circuits, circuit breakers and closers for said circuits, one of said circuit breakers and closers comprising a movable mem ber having means for actuating the other circuit breaker and closer, a removable device for actuating the movable member, and additional circuit breakers and closers in said circuits operable independently of the firstmentioned circuit breakers and closers.

. 34:. In a system of distribution, a plurality of circuits, circuit breakers and closers in A said circuits, said circuit breakers and closers comprising movable members, an actuating device for the movable member of one of said circuit breakers and closers, and means actuated by the last-mentioned movable member for actuating the movable member of the other circuit breaker and closer, and an additional circuit breaker and closer in each circuit operable independently of the first-mentioned circuit breakers and closers.

35. In a controlling device, a plurality of circuits, means for controlling said circuits, a movable contact member for also controlling said circuits, a circuit, a circuit breaker and closer for said last-mentioned circuit comprising a fixed contact member connected with a source of energy, and a lever of conducting material adapted to engage and disengage said xed contact member, and means on said lever for controlling the irst-mentioned movable contact member.

36. In a controlling device for engine c1rcuits, a plurality of circuits, a plurallty of independently operable circuit breakers and closers in each circuit, and means common to a breaker and closer of each circuit for operating the same, the remaining c1rcu1t breakers and closers being independently controlled by hand.

37. In a controlling device for en ne circuits, a starter circuit, a circuit brea er and closer therefor, a plurality of ignition c1rcuits leading to separate sources of electrical current, a circuit breaker and closer for said ignition circuits, second additional circuit breakers and closers for said starter circuit and said ignition circuits, and common means for operating said additional circuit breakers and closers.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature.

NCAQRL J. WALLACE. 

